Aptima Inc., a leader in human-centered engineering and advanced analytics, is proud to announce that it has received a US Army Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) award to develop the AERO-PI system. This innovative solution is designed to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of injuries sustained during parachute landings, enhancing force readiness and individual well-being.

AERO-PI: Advanced EXOJUMP to Reduce Occurrences of Parachute Injuries

Parachute landing injuries, particularly those affecting the ankle, are a persistent challenge for military paratroopers. In response, Aptima and its partners at Auburn University and Human Systems Integration (HSI) have developed the AERO-PI system, an injury-mitigating foot-worn sensor suite equipped with context-specific analytics. This system collects real-time data on the biomechanics of para-jumping to support intervention validation and evaluation, provide training insights and feedback, and offer individualized predictions to mitigate landing forces.

AERO-PI includes several unique capabilities:

• Injury Mitigation: The foot-worn sensor suite and context-specific analytics work together to reduce landing force, potentially triggering active exoskeleton components to minimize impact.
• Training and Feedback: The system provides valuable insights and feedback to military units, helping to inform proper landing techniques and prevent injuries.
• Predictive Analytics: Real-time data collection allows for individualized risk assessments, enhancing safety during both training and operational jumps.

The anticipated benefits of the AERO-PI system extend beyond military applications. In the commercial market, this technology can be applied to various active occupations where orthopedic injuries are prevalent, such as fitness training, aerobics instruction, and structural work. Additionally, the system holds potential in the rehabilitation space, providing progress monitoring and feedback to accelerate recovery.

Aptima’s Sensor-based Assessment Technologies

AERO-PI is a member of Aptima’s Sensor-based Assessment Technologies (AIT) portfolio of technologies that utilize signals from the brain and body to inform performance-optimizing solutions that accelerate learning and optimize human-machine teaming. SAT leverages a wide range of multimodal data, from neuroimaging devices such as EEG and fNIRS, to computerized software for email and cognitive task performance. With SAT, data-derived insights provide objective feedback about individual internal conditions and abilities that would otherwise go unnoticed. As a result, individuals, supervisors, and even computerized co-workers (systems-as-teammates, automated assistants) can make informed adjustments to enhance safety and efficiency.

Aptima welcomes the adoption or merging of your technology with one or more of our SBIR Topics. We are eligible for SBIR Enhancement funding, as well as TACFI and STRATFI awards, all of which are sole source.

For more information, please contact aptima_info@aptima.com.